Glad to be here with you guys!

Hi Universe,

Glad to see your post. Congratulations on 17 months in! I did notice there's not much traffic on this board, and I believe it is for the reason you mentioned.  I have been going through the 'monitoring thing' for awhile but have some things that still need to happen before I can apply for my state monitoring agreement program. It seems like it'll never manifest, but I am an overcomer and I do want to get through this. As you will too.

Hello peeps,

I finished TPAPN in 2018 after a 5 year contract.  It was my second time around, the first time I completed in 1997 from a 2 year agreement.  The second time around I read these boards daily.  It helped me.  I didn't feel so alone.  I just recently signed back on again and was surprised how dead it is.  I hope this board can provide some reassurance to someone who is going through it.  It can be a long road, but I was so glad I didn't lose my license.  I followed the program to a T.  I've got 10 years clean time.  I hate to admit it but the 5 years kept me clean long enough to establish my sobriety.  Welcome to the forum.  

Big Blondie said:

Hello peeps,

I finished TPAPN in 2018 after a 5 year contract.  It was my second time around, the first time I completed in 1997 from a 2 year agreement.  The second time around I read these boards daily.  It helped me.  I didn't feel so alone.  I just recently signed back on again and was surprised how dead it is.  I hope this board can provide some reassurance to someone who is going through it.  It can be a long road, but I was so glad I didn't lose my license.  I followed the program to a T.  I've got 10 years clean time.  I hate to admit it but the 5 years kept me clean long enough to establish my sobriety.  Welcome to the forum.  

Glad you came back!  I was here early last year when I could see the traffic drop off sharply.  I don't get it - you all can still talk about your issues, monitoring stuff, etc on here without anyone finding out.   Just use an anonymous sounding screenname and not your own name like many do! 

This board has provided me great info and great hope during some dark times. Wishing you all the best and congrats on your first 17 months- the days are long sometimes but keep your head up!

I'm more than half way through a 5 year contract and this site has been a life saver for those times I needed the extra push to make it especially those two years my license was suspended. 

I should be getting my programs intro paperwork in a few weeks, it's nice to see people trying to maintain a community,  LOL I have questions! 

Curious in Texas

Hey yall

I'm curious and I'm trying to prepare myself with what to expect with upcoming uds. I have some pretty severe performance anxiety and am wondering if anyone could share about their experiences with board orders in TX (I know it's different in every state and I guess it could be different for those who are testing for TPAPN or just thru the BON but not sure since I guess they both go thru affinity or recovery trek so as specific as your comfortable would be appreciated)? Ex did you have many issues with samples being rejected (if so why), things that caused an abnormal result (if so what), were you timed (how long), monitored (how invasive), etc... I've heard so many horror stories of how it can go wrong and I just want to give myself the best possible chance to start off on the right foot. Plus if you look at the number of views on each post,  it's obvious there are lots of people out there looking for info that don't ask so maybe we can start a dialog to help others who are shy too. I am fully clean and healthy and can pass any type of test however I have some big anxiety issues from things in my past about taking off my clothes in front of others so I guess my biggest fear going into this freezing up and not being able to produce a sample on demand and the facility reporting that as a fail...

Thanks in advance, I appreciate you guys! 

I never had to do a witnessed screen.  I had a "non-negative" due to a dilute urine.  It was the lab person who told me to drink some water first, and then it was listed as non-negative.  They sent me a reminder of what to do to prevent it again and I never had another issue.

Big Blondie said:

I never had to do a witnessed screen.  I had a "non-negative" due to a dilute urine.  It was the lab person who told me to drink some water first, and then it was listed as non-negative.  They sent me a reminder of what to do to prevent it again and I never had another issue.

Thank you for the info, there's so many horror stories out there,  some success stories are definitely reassuring! 

Txrntrying said:

……Plus if you look at the number of views on each post,  it's obvious there are lots of people out there looking for info that don't ask so maybe we can start a dialog to help others who are shy too……

That's true - this post has over 1200 views, which is much more than other forums on other topics, like the forums I go to for my hobbies.

People should not be afraid of boards and the monitoring agencies.  Get an anonymous screenname, don't give out your address, and let's share information.

I know like come on my name ain't Allison and this is my burner email ?

let's do this together peeps!

I am one month into a 5 year contract. I strangely do not feel bad at all about being in the monitoring program, but I also recognize I don't have any financial stressors. I do think the cost burden (combined with being out of work) makes this feel like a punishment. 

At first, I felt like "why am I here?" because I do not have substance use disorder. Do I think I need a 5 year contract? No, but I did need to slow down instead of just trying to get by (like most people honestly). I am depressed and the requirements of this program sort of force me to be consistent in trying to overcome depression. It has only been 2 months since I was told I'd be reported to the board. My anxiety is completely gone, and my depression has gone from severe to moderate. 

I feel like this is my rock bottom. It has been such a humbling experience to realize I need help. The fact that I can even look at the positives makes me happy because I have always been the kind of person who could find the silver lining in every cloud.